A stunning 175(80) in the U-19 WC final puts Vaibhav Sooryavanshi under the spotlight – should India fast-track him post T20 WC 2026?
“Abhi toh shuruaat hai, abhi bahut aage jaana hai (This is just the beginning, there’s a lot more to achieve). Jab tak Test na khele, kya bada cricketer (Till the time he does not play Tests, I won’t consider him a big cricketer),” Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s father Sanjeev certainly knows that it is just the start for his 14-year-old son, who has already turned the cricket world upside down with his blistering performances.
In the ICC U-19 World Cup 2026 final at Harare Sports Club on February 6, India faced England in a high-stakes clash with their sixth title on the line. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, opening the batting, started slowly, scoring 15 off his first 17 balls. He nudged singles and rotated the strike in the powerplay, setting a solid platform for him to launch a lethal attack.
And rightly done; the acceleration was breathtaking. Sooryavanshi unleashed havoc – he lofted spinners over cover, muscled pacers over cow corner, hitting 15 fours and 15 sixes in an innings of 175 runs off just 80 balls. His strike rate of 218.75 was the second-highest for any 100-plus innings in Youth ODIs.
His fifty came off just 32 balls, century off 55 (second-fastest in U-19 WC history), and the second fifty in just 23 balls. He propelled India to 411/9, a total England chased gallantly to 311 all out, falling 100 runs short.
Records tumbled: second-most runs (175) in an India Youth ODI innings after Ambati Rayudu’s 177*; sixth batter overall and third India player with a U-19 WC final ton; first to 100 sixes in Youth ODIs (now 110 total); most sixes (30) by an individual in a single U-19 WC edition, surpassing South Africa’s Dewald Brevis’s 18 from 2022. Lastly, Player of the Match and Tournament recognition capped his dream day.
Read More: U-19 World Cup 2026 Final, ENG vs IND: England struck by Sooryavanshi storm; India win sixth title
Tournament heroics: Power personified
Sooryavanshi dominated the entire U-19 World Cup 2026, played across Zimbabwe and Namibia. In seven innings, he scored 439 runs at an average of 78.57 and strike rate over 140, including four fifties and a mammoth 175 in the final. Standout knocks included 72 off 58 vs Australia in Super Sixes, 52 off 40 vs West Indies (match-winning chase), 68 off 52 vs New Zealand (semifinal pressure-absorber), and 40 off 28 vs South Africa. His 30 sixes were a tournament record, blending brute force with innovative ramps and scoops against all attacks.
Captain Mahatre called him “the X-factor,” while coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar noted his maturity: “Vaibhav plays like he’s been here for years, fearless yet smart.” He adapted to seaming conditions early, then feasted in batting-friendly tracks, earning Player of the Tournament as well the Player of the Match in the final, becoming the first player to bag both final-related honors.
Read More: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shines in SA; gets fifty & hundred in consecutive innings ahead of U-19 WC 2026
What I saw today was scarcely believable. This kid, and he is a kid, is simply incredible. #VaibhavSuryavanshi
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 6, 2026
From Bihar prodigy to national sensation
Born in Samastipur, Bihar, in 2011, Vaibhav’s rise is stuff of legends. Trained under father Sanjeev, a district cricketer, he debuted for Bihar U-16s at 11, then shattered records. In October 2024, at 12 years 284 days, he became the youngest modern-era Ranji Trophy debutant against Mumbai.
By 14, named Bihar’s Ranji Plate vice-captain for 2025-26, he led with 45 off 52 vs Assam. In Youth ODIs, he holds the fastest ton (52 balls, with 10 sixes vs Ireland U-19). Domestic T20s saw him smash 150+ run knocks as well. IPL 2025 with Rajasthan Royals marked his senior explosion. Youngest debutant ever at 14, he scored 101 off 38 (11 sixes, SR 265.79) vs Gujarat Titans, the second-fastest IPL hundred.
Read More: Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest centurion in men’s List A cricket; slams 84-ball 190 for Bihar
Is he ready for T20 World Cup cycle?
Is he ready for India’s next T20 World Cup cycle? Absolutely. ICC rules mandate 15+ for senior internationals; born in 2011, he’ll turn 15 by mid-2026. His T20 blueprint, skill, consistency and a showcase of hitting against senior bowlers in IPL has proved loads already.
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth roared post-final: “Hope the selectors are watching this. Please fast-track him and make him play for India. There is no option now. Many have gone from Under-19 to captaining India. He’s smashing in a World Cup final, in the IPL and every domestic competition. Is there any place he hasn’t scored yet? When someone is playing like this, why not fast-track him into international cricket. There is no need to wait for one more season or say he’s too young,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“This kid is knocking on the doors of international cricket hard & fast. Post the T20 World Cup, don’t be surprised if that door opens,” R Ashwin wrote in a post on X, praising Sooryavanshi.
“Sooryavanshi Vaibhav 175 in 80 balls with 15 sixes. Have we seen the future of cricket? If he had stuck around even a 300 seemed possible. India is blessed, they keep getting world class batters,” Mohammad Kaif added to the praise.
The young lad with a baby smile on his face is hitting balls and the doors of Indian cricket very aggressively. As the Pundits have already echoed, the day may not be too far away that we finally see him in senior India Blues.
Sooryavanshi Vaibhav 175 in 80 balls with 15 sixes. Have we seen the future of cricket? If he had stuck around even a 300 seemed possible. India is blessed, they keep getting world class batters.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 6, 2026
175 (80) in the U19 WC final, 15 fours and 15 sixes with 85.7% of his runs in boundaries. That’s absurd. This is a follow up to his 68(33) in the semis chasing a 300+ target. Vaibhav has owned the big stage like he's born for it. A prodigy with serious big match temperament.… pic.twitter.com/uIUEe9XXsO
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 6, 2026
Credit to Rahul Dravid for picking Vaibhav Suryavanshi and to VVS Laxman for moulding his mindset in encouraging his mindset which is not a slave of technique. Vaibhav has that uncanny knack of picking line & length early something which only Sachin Tendulkar had.
— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) February 6, 2026
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